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Islanders three dream trade deadline acquisitions

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders attends the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders attends the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 25: Sam Reinhart #23 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his third period goal against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on October 25, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Buffalo won the game 2-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 25: Sam Reinhart #23 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his third period goal against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on October 25, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Buffalo won the game 2-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Sam Reinhart | Buffalo Sabres

Back to Buffalo.

Changes are likely coming in Buffalo. It’s likely that for the ninth year in a row, the Sabres are going to miss the playoffs. Clearly, what they’re doing isn’t working. Getting right-shot Sam Reinhart would be a dream for the Islanders.

The Sabres aren’t likely to let Sam Reinhart go. So the first part of this dream is simply acquiring him.

Sure, he’s at the end of a bridge deal paying him $3.65 million, but as an RFA he’s a controllable asset. He also just turned 24-years-old and as the Sabres move forward he’s likely to form part of their core alongside Jack Eichel.

With 43 points in 52 games, Reinhart is on pace for a career year of 67 points at the end of the season. Again, why move him if you’re the Sabres?

The second part of the dream is how perfectly he’d fit with the Islanders and how he’d give them exactly what they’re looking for.

With 18 goals so far this season, Reinhart is on pace to score 28 goals. That would be his fourth 20+ goal season in his five year NHL career. He’s a pacy player that can keep up with the likes of Mathew Barzal and provide some much-needed offense.

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But it all comes back to the Sabres being willing to move him. They may not have cap space for him today, but with six pending UFA’s the Sabres will have money to play with this summer.

Perhaps with the emergence of Victor Olofsson, they could find a way to part with Reinhard if it returns some defense.

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